Four players have transferred, including three this spring. Quarterback Gunner Kiel was the first to announce he was leaving. On Wednesday, receivers Davonte’ Neal and Justin Ferguson announced they too are leaving. Also, cornerback Tee Shepard, a four-star recruit, signed with Notre Dame in January of 2012, but transferred two months later.

Neal’s college career started with a bit of drama before he ever left his hometown in Arizona.

On National Signing Day last year, Neal was a no-show at his scheduled announcement. The Scottsdale, Ariz. native eventually committed to Notre Dame, but now a year later, he is transferring.

His father, Luke Neal, told 247Sports.com that a major factor in his son’s decision is the fact that Davonte became a father in February, and wanted to be closer to his six-week old daughter, Baylee, and his longtime girlfriend, Marie Burton.

“The plan was to move his girlfriend and his baby to South Bend, but Davonte’ just felt the need to be closer to his family and his girlfriend’s family at this time,” Luke Neal told 247Sports.com.

“It’s a situation that I’ve been talking to Davonte’ about the past four months, and he’s finally realized he wants to be involved in his daughter’s life closer than from a distance at Notre Dame.”

Neal was a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year in Arizona, and chose the Irish over Arizona and North Carolina. Neal will likely transfer to a school in California, his father said.

Additionally, receiver Justin Ferguson, also from the 2012 class, is transferring. Ferguson played in 11 games last season, and caught one pass for nine yards.

It was also announced Wednesday that running back Amir Carlisle, who missed the 2012 season with a leg injury, is out the remainder of spring due to a broken collarbone. Sophomore defensive end Chase Hounshell will miss the entire 2013 season after re-injuring the shoulder that sidelined him last season.